Performers of Latin jazz have extended the genre around the
world. This disc introduces a group known as Banda Mandacarinho,
a Tokyo-based big band specializing in Brazilian popular music,
known as MPB. The band members are an international mix of players
from Brazil, Japan, Cuba, Canada, and the United States. This
is the bandís first album, a collection of tunes from Brazil with
new arrangements. Festa com Amor is a bright, cheerful
number with a quick Latin beat colored with a touch of funk. The
tight brass sections smoothly take turns with the lead before
combining for rich and heavy staccato accents. Cangalha,
composed by guitarist Joao Lyra, is performed with a driving Latin
rhythm featuring a soaring trumpet solo by Luis Valle, which contrasts
well with the deep baritone sax solo by Kazuki Nagashima. Drummer
Juasa Kanoh is the glue that holds these songs together, and his
prodigious talent is apparent on Caxanga, composed by
Milton Nascimento, which Minako Yagi has arranged as a jazzy Latin
march. Fine solos by pianist Hiroko Miyano, bassist Toru Kase
and Andy Wulf on tenor sax round out the tune. Bolero de Paulinho
was composed by Paulo Cesar Gomes, and the band plays the smooth,
sultry dance number with a rich, layered brass arrangement that
showcases solos by trumpeter Ryuichi Takase and alto saxophonist
Gustavo Anacleto, who also provided the excellent arrangement.
Emoldurada is a light, dancing samba featuring solos
by alto saxophonist Steve Sacks and trumpeter Mitsuriu Tanaka
and some fine background work on the vibraphone by Chie Suzuki.

This disc was released in June, 2017. The music was recorded
at HMVP Studio in Tokyo. Mixing and mastering was performed by
recording engineer Yuichiro Hiraoka. No booklet is included; notes
and credits are listed on the disc cover in English and Japanese.
The sound quality is excellent, the musical arrangements are interesting,
and the performances are well-done. A minor complaint would be
that the entire disc runs a little under 25 minutes long, less
than half of what a listener would expect. Another five songs
of this quality would have been a welcome addition and an easy
fit onto this disc.